Alabama begins paying stimulus unemployment benefits; $40M on the way to workers

Alabama has begun paying the additional $600 a week in unemployment benefits included in the $2 trillion economic stimulus package, with more than $40 million on the way to Alabamians out of work, the state Labor Department said Thursday.

The $2 trillion stimulus package included $600 extra per week in unemployment benefits, bringing the maximum payout to $875 a week in Alabama. The Alabama Department of Labor began making those payments Wednesday, according to state Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington.

“We understand the frustration of many Alabamians who are out of work due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and we know that they need these benefits to stay afloat,” Washington said. “We are working as hard as we can to make sure that everyone gets the benefits they need as quickly as they can. We are one of the first states to begin distributing these funds. We continue to urge patience as the department works to implement this vital legislation.”

Unemployed workers should expect to see those funds within the next two to three days, if not sooner, Washington said. The state paid $40,060,495 to 60,848 claimants on Wednesday.

Anyone receiving unemployment compensation is eligible for the extra $600 a week benefit, even those who are unemployed for non-COVID-19 reasons. The payments are being made for weeks being claimed beginning March 29 through July 25.